The Flemish Government gave the go-ahead for a new Gewestelijk Ruimtelijk Uitvoeringsplan (GRUP) for Zelzate at the end of June. This marks a crucial step in ensuring the safe and smooth accessibility of this strategic hub in the North Sea Port area.
The note was suggested by Vlaams Minister van Omgeving Jo Brouns to tackle the traffic infrastructure around Zelzate and thus improve accessibility and living environment. Zelzate is an important mobility and energy hub, situated between North Sea Port and Port Antwerp-Bruges and on the Rotterdam-North Sea Port-Paris axis. Several mobility infrastructures therefore converge around Zelzate, all of which need space for reconstruction or further development, but available space is scarce. Well-considered choices that create space for mobility, economy and quality of the living environment, without unnecessary paving, are needed.
"The Gentse Kanaalzone is located at a crucial strategic position between Zeebrugge and Antwerp, and in the North between Belgium and the Netherlands. Several strategic sectors are located in the port area. That future, together with the liveability of the surrounding villages and towns, can be further developed thanks to this GRUP," said Carina Van Cauter, governor of East Flanders.
Necessary projects
More specifically, the GRUP involves some important and necessary projects such as the reconstruction of the R4 and E34 motorways, the port railway, the deepening of the Zelzatetunnel in the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal and the construction of hydrogen infrastructure.
"The new Gewestelijk Ruimtelijk Uitvoeringsplan for Zelzate is crucial for a safer and smoother access to this hub and in the North Sea Port area. This will enable further future-oriented development of our multimodal seaport. In particular, this can create the necessary space for the Rail Gent-Terneuzen railway, for which funding is already provided and which can further increase the share of rail transport from 10 to 15%," said Cas König, CEO of North Sea Port
Public enquiry
The plans can be consulted by the public from 19 August to 17 October, during which time anyone can comment on the public enquiry. This can be done online via this website. As of 19 August, the plans will also be available for consultation at the town halls of Zelzate, Lochristi and Ghent. Residents will also receive an invitation to an information meeting.
Image: North Sea Port
